Friday, September 30, 2011

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Synopsis: Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.
But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.
Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)
But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.
The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.
And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.
Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future…
If she even has one.

My Rating: Okay Read

My Review:  Meg Cabot is one of my favorite authors.  I love both her YA and Adult books.  This is so hard for me not to give this book a Great or Must Read, but it just didn't do all that much for me.  I do think it is because I am "vampired" out!  I just don't enjoy books with that time of character.  I guess I am more of a witch (good witch) type of person!  I didn't connect with the characters like I usually do when I read one of Meg's books (I am usually waiting for the bookstore to open on the day of her "new releases").  The plot didn't do much for me and  just didn't seem to go anywhere at times.  I am so sorry, but Meg, I would not recommend (or others in the series) this book to others.  ALL her other books - MUST READ 5/5!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Synopsis: This remarkable novel holds a fantastic puzzle at its heart.
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.
But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

My Rating: 5/5 Must Read


My Review: After reading When You Reach Me, I am not at all surprise Rebecca Stead was awarded the Newberry Medal. This book reminds me of a young adults version of The TIme Traveler's Wife, but different. It is full of twists and turns. I was pulled right into the book from chapter 1.  It was a quick read, as well.  At the end of every chapter, I wanted more. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Change Of A Dress - The Cinderella Cleaners Series


Synopsis:  Behind the counter at Cinderella Cleaners, Diana watches the clothes come and go. She loves to imagine the exciting events that the different outfits might be worn to. Then one day, Diana reaches into the pocket of a fancy coat - and finds an invitation to a glittering gala in New York City. Since the coat's owner is out of town, Diana gets a wild idea. With the help of some savvy friends, one glamorous dress, and a lot of improvising, Diana pretends to be someone she's not, and makes it into the party! Will she be discovered, or will her disguise come off without a hitch?
Provided by BN.com


My Rating: Great Book


My Review: This is the first book in Cinderella Cleaners series (6 in total so far). This is a great series for girls 9 - 12. The book goes through all the challenges of a young girls justifying doing something she knows is wrong and making choices as consequences unfold.  Gold goes throughs questions and answers as Diana makes choices throughout the book.  What should she do and how does she deal with the outcome that are beyond her imagination!  Great life lessons throughout the book.  I need to go check out the other 5 books in the series.  


Have a great day!





Friday, September 23, 2011

Banned Book Hop and Giveaway

Welcome to the Banned Books Week Hop! This event is hosted by the lovely bloggers from I Read Banned Books and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

I am stop #43. There are over 250 stops, each with their own banned book related giveaway so make sure to check them all out as well (you can see the full list of participants here).

What you can win:

A $10 gift card to Amazon.com, or BN.com.  I am letting the winner choose their banned or challenged book.  I believe that every book has a place on a shelf.  Our shelves are all different and we should be able to have our own choice in what is on that shelf.  I did stumble across this list of 50 banned books that everyone should read and was SHOCKED at the books that were listed.  



What do you have to do to win:


Become a follower of this blog and complete the entry form below.


Extra chances to win!
Follow Seaside Book Nook on Goodreads
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Thanks so much for being a follower!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Hurt No More by Kelly Ann Evers


I am excited to participate in the Crazy Book Tours today.  I had the pleasure to review Hurt No More! A Journey of Healing From Abuse by Kelly Ann Evers.



Paperback: 210 pages
Publisher: El Roi Publishing
Rating: Good, with very important information and resources

Synopsis: In Hurt No More! A Journey of Healing from Abuse, Kelly Ann Evers reaches out to abused and battered women with her own compelling and inspirational story.  After escaping from her abusive husband, she was unable to enjoy her new found freedom because of the emotional, physical, and spiritual scars left from years of domestic violence that kept her feeling hopeless, defeated, and depressed.  Determined to set herself free from her suffering, she found the courage to search for true happiness and a meaningful life.  It was through the Word of God and prayer that she finally attained deep healing from the abuse--and so much more!
·         Believe in yourself as much as God believes in you
·         Be healed, joyful, strong, and confident
·         Change your life with powerful prayer
·         Trust God regardless of the situation
·         Live the life you deserve
·         Learn to invest in yourself

Review: First, I want to say that what this book has to offer is very important and may just save a life.  The book's focus is not so much on Kelly's abusive relationship, but on her journey of healing through prayer.  I believe you need to be in the right frame of mind to have such an amazing experience as Kelly did.  The other part of the book that I think is so valuable are the national and international resources at the end of book.  
About Kelly:  Kelly is the founder of His Love Heals, Domestic Violence Help.  Her website is www.domestic-violence-help.org.  They will keep keep your confidence and will guide you on a path toward freedom.

Thanks Kelly for writing such a book and Crazy Book Tours for hosting the tour.  Together we may just save a life.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Runaway by Meg Cabot




Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Rating: 4 - Great Read

Synopsis:  When everyone knows your name?
The third and final book the NYT bestselling trilogy.
Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.
With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?
But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.
Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.
With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?
But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.
Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?
Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.

From BN.com
Why I wanted to read it:  I loved the first two novel in the series, Airhead and Being Nikki.  Also, Meg Cabot's adult books are great chick lit!  I can't get enough of Meg's books!  I would have to say this is chick lit for young adults!
Book Cover Rating: 3 out of 5.  I like all of the covers in this series and are so appropriate given the story.
Length of Chapters: 4 out of 5. I liked the length of the chapters, not too long!

My Review:
  This is a great way to end the trilogy. Cabot wraps it all up with a bow on top. I love the Emma Watts character in the series.  She is smart and so funny. Christopher is pretty cool too (or should I say "hot")! The best part is we finally get read about the big Stark's secret - and it will blow you away.  No spoiler alert here - my lips are sealed!   I do recommend you start at the being of the series - I am not so sure that Runaway will make sense (at the very least the details leading up to the story will be lost) reading it on its own.  It will be so worth it to start with Airhead!  Another great book/series by Meg!  I always purchase her books the day they come out - LOVE 'em!  Has anyone read her new series - Insatiable/Overbite?  They are my shelf!

Have a great day!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Spells and Sleeping Bags by Sarah Mylnowski


Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Rating: 4 - Great Read

Synopsis:  At long last, Rachel's powers have arrived and she's a bona fide get-your-broom-ready witch! And it's happened just in time. No Manhattan for her this summer—she's spending her vacation at Camp Wood Lake.
But she's having some serious issues:
Mosquitoes in the Adirondacks are incredibly thirsty.
Her stepmom keeps sending embarrassing feminine hygiene care packages.
She accidentally zapped away all her clothes.
And there's a backstabber in her cabin intent on making life miserable.
Good thing Rachel's a witch.
From BN.com
Why I wanted to read it:  I loved the first two novel in the series, Bras and Broomsticks and Frogs and French Kisses.  Also, Sarah Mylnowski's adult books are great chick lit!  I would have to say this is chick lit for young adults!
Book Cover Rating: 3 out of 5.  I like all of the covers in this series.
Length of Chapters: 4 out of 5. I liked the length of the chapters, not too long!

My Review:
  This series is so much fun.  I can't get enough of Rachel and Miri.  Rachel has her powers in this book and the girls are at camp for the summer.  There are lots of twists and turns. The ending is a little weird, but it works.  Great book for both adults and young adults.  It will have you laughing out loud.....by yourself!  You don't have to read the first two in the series, but why not, they are great too!  

Have a great week!  It will be extremely busy for me at work and home.  

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Back to Books Winner



The winner of Here Home Hope is:

#42 miryfaye (Rebekah F)

I have your address and will be mailing it out today!

Thanks to everyone that participated.  There 143 entries!

Coming up this month: Back to School reviews.  Most reviews (not all) will be focused on Young Adult books.  Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Back to Books Hop and Giveaway



Welcome to the Back to Books Hop and Giveaway hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Buried in Books. This hop is scheduled to run August 1st to 7th.  There are 300 blogs signed up and all hosting a giveaway.  


I am giving away Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda.  This is another book that is getting great reviews this summer.  I absolutely LOVE the cover.  I am picturing the porch over looking water (the ocean in my mind)!  I love hydrangeas so I was so thrilled to see them on the cover.  I also love the bare feet!  My favorite pictures of my kids are during the summer and bare foot!




Paperback:  312 pages
Publisher:  Greenleaf Book Group, LLC
Rating:  Great Read!


Synopsis:  Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

From page one, Kelly's witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan—she places Post-it notes all over her house and car—will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.
Here, Home, Hope will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women's fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.
From BN.com

My Review:  This is a perfect summer read (while, really any time!).  It is a very easy read and pulls you in right from the start.  I would agree that this is a chick lit book and I love the twists with the characters.  The book tackles some very real and very tough issues; divorce, lay off of employment, death of a spouse, adultery, anorexia and mid-life crisis.  Amazingly, all these topics are part of the book but does not seem like as you are reading it.  The book moves along so easily and the characters are very believable.


To win this book, all you have to do is one of the following (please don't do both)....AFTER you become a follower (mandatory to be a follower either GFC or email):

  • Complete the form below (my favorite and always so easy!)
  • Leave a comment (with your email address)

Remember you must be a follower to win.







Call Me Irresistible - TLC Book Tours



Paperback: 385 pages
Publisher: Harper-Collins Publishers
Rating: Good/Great Read

Synopsis:  R.S.V.P. to the most riotous wedding of the year!  Lucy Jorik’s the daughter of a former U.S. president.  Meg Koranda’s the offspring of legends.
One of them is about to marry Mr. Irresistible—Ted Beaudine—the favorite son of Wynette, Texas. The other is determined to save her friend from a mess of heartache.
Meg knows breaking up her best friend’s wedding is the right thing to do, but no one else agrees. Faster than Lucy can say “I don’t,” Meg’s the most hated woman in town—and stuck there with a dead car, an empty wallet, and a very angry bridegroom. Broke, stranded, without her famous parents watching her back, Meg believes she can survive by her own wits. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? She’ll lose her heart to Mr. Irresistible?
Not likely. Not likely at all.
From BN.com

Why I wanted to read it:  After reading the synopsis, I thought it was 100% chick lit!
My Rating: 3 out of 5, a good read.
Book Cover Rating: 3 out of 5.  I can picture this being Meg, no doubt! However, I am surprised there isn't a picture of Ted.....he is Mr. Irresistible.
Length of Chapters: 3 out of 5. The chapters in Call Me Irresistible were on the longer side for my taste, but there were stops/breaks throughout the chapters.  That works for me as well.  As I have said before, I need to be able to pick up and put down the book as I don't have any "block" of time to read. I have to read whenever and wherever I can in 3 - 5 minute increments. 

My Review:  I liked the book.  I could picture the characters, small town in Texas, the mess Meg gets herself into.  In trying not to spoil the book for anyone, events in the book happen pretty fast, in my opinion.  Call Me Irresistible has a lot of humor, not so much "girlie drama," (Meg is pretty tough) and "smut."  This combination makes it 100% chick lit!
This is my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, but it will not be last.  She has the Wynette Texas Books (Call Me Irresistible is in this series), Chicago Stars Books and a ton of stand-alone books.  I am going to go check out It Had to Be You from the Chicago Star series.  Looks fantastic and perfect for fall (Female NY knockout inherits a Chicago football team)!
Author:  Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of our biggest women’s fiction stars soaring onto the New York Times bestseller list with Dream a Little Dream. She’s the only four-time recipient of Romance Writer’s of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award. Susan delights fans by touching hearts as well as funny bones with her wonderfully whimsical and modern fairy tales. A resident of the Chicago suburbs, she is also a wife and mother of two grown sons.
Visit Susan at her website, susanelizabethphillips.com, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.
This is a TLC Book Tour and I encourage you to check out the other reviews:
Tuesday, August 30th: As I turn the pages
Wednesday, August 31st: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Tuesday, September 6th: Luxury Reading
Wednesday, September 7th: StephTheBookworm
Thursday, September 8th: Colloqium
Tuesday, September 12th: Laura’s Reviews
Tuesday, September 13th: Life In Review
Wednesday, September 14th: Tina’s Book Reviews
Thursday, September 15th: Peeking Between the Pages
Friday, September 16th: Books Like Breathing